House Budget Committee hears early supplemental budget
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On Monday, Jan. 10, the House Budget Committee, led by vice-chairman Rep. Dirk Deaton (R-Noel) during this meeting, considered HB 3014. The bill is Governor Parson’s supplemental budget for FY 2022. The only provision of the bill that directly impacts the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development is the cost of living increase for state employees.
State Budget Director Dan Haug explained the need for the 5.5 percent pay increase for state employees. “The pay increase is not just about recruitment but retention,” said Haug. Haug explained that state agencies have a turnover rate of 25 percent, compared to about 10 percent for other employers. “We are losing good people across all pay scales and we are working to meet market demands to provide the services Missourians need and expect.”
Committee members asked how the Governor expects to fund the increase in future years. Haug indicated that long-term projections indicate that the increase is sustainable. Committee members also expressed concern that the pay increase sets an “arbitrary baseline” that doesn’t truly reflect market rates for specific occupations.
The Governor has indicated that he wants the supplemental budget signed into law before Feb. 1. The committee plans to continue its consideration next week.
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Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant legislation considered by Senate Progress and Development
On Wednesday, Jan. 12, the Senate Progress and Development Committee held its first hearing of the legislative session. The committee considered SB 672, which would expand the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. The bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), is a priority of the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development and Governor Parson.
SB 672 would remove the short sunset placed on the program and allow eligible individuals who are participating in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship to be reimbursed for education-related costs such as tools, books, and uniforms.
Sen. Hough shared information on Fast Track’s early achievements during the hearing. “For a new education program, Fast Track has been wildly successful” and “a lot of folks are going into programs like allied health, which is helping to backfill positions of high need across the state,” said Sen. Hough. Committee members, including Sen. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) echoed the program’s early success. Moon indicated that Fast Track “has pretty impressive results for a fairly young program.”
Committee members heard suggestions from witnesses about ways to strengthen the program. Potential changes include allowing students participating in emergency management technician (EMT) programs not offered by a college or university to participate in the program; eliminating the “clawback" provision that requires Fast Track recipients to repay grant funds if they do not live and work in Missouri for three years after completing their program; and allowing institutions to administer the program.
Sen. Hough plans to offer a committee substitute next week.
Several people and organizations testified in favor of the bill, including:
- Zora Mulligan, Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
- Kara Corches, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Angie Besendorfer, Western Governors University-Missouri
- David Pearce, University of Central Missouri
- Brian Millner, Missouri Community College Association
- Liz Henderson, Missouri Ambulance Association
- Paul Wagner, Council on Public Higher Education
- Teresa Coyan, Cox Health
- Bill Gamble, Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri
- Will Mars, Branson Area Lake Chamber of Commerce
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce provided a letter in support that was submitted to the committee. None spoke in opposition.
The committee will discuss a SB 672 committee substitute during executive session next Wednesday.
House Judiciary Committee considers COVID vaccination legislation
On Wednesday, Jan. 12, the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. David Evans (R-West Plains), heard testimony on several COVID-related bills. The bills would limit an entity’s ability to require COVID-19 vaccinations. During the hearing, Rep. Evans indicated that he would “try to get to as many” of the filed COVID vaccine bills as he can but encouraged members to consolidate bills with other legislators that share similar intent or language.
The most notable bill discussed by the committee was HB 1686, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hardwick (R-Waynesville). The legislation specifically states that no public higher education institution may require for employment a COVID-19 vaccination or otherwise condition “any action, benefit, consequence, service, enrollment, or other thing of value on a person's COVID-19 vaccination status.” According to the bill sponsor, the bill’s purpose is to prevent coercion and “ensure Missourians have the right to choose whether they want to take the vaccine or not.” The bill also allows for conscientious objections and medical or religious exceptions. Those in opposition to the legislation highlighted how the bill would intrude on private businesses’ decision to protect their workers as they deem necessary. This included vice-chair Rep. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville), who argued that Missourians live in a “market environment” and if a private business decides to require a vaccine, employees can decide to work elsewhere.
Those in favor of the legislation argued that the vaccine may have unknown side effects. Those in opposition, including chambers of commerce and the Missouri Healthcare Association, asked legislators to leave the decision to employers. Health care employers also indicated concern a potential conflict of law if federal mandates go into effect.
The committee will likely meet to discuss potential changes to the bill and hold a vote in the next two weeks.
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